1 Giuseppe AMBROSINO
(ITALY)
Through instinct and execution, the young Neapolitan striker is a first-rate converter of chances. On Napoli’s books but on loan this campaign at Serie B outfits Como and Cittadella, he has an excellent record as a finisher: the leading goalscorer in the domestic youth championship last season (19) and regularly on the scoresheet for Italy in this season’s Under-20 Elite League.
All the right people rate him. From Azzurri Under-20 boss Carmine Nunziata to Napoli first-team coach Luciano Spalletti, who selected him for bench duty in Serie A and the Europa League last season.
Part of Italy’s squad at last summer’s Under-19 European Championship, the 19-year-old striker scored and helped guide Nunziata’s side to the semi-finals – where they went on to lose to winners England – while Roberto Mancini called the youngster up for a training camp in December aimed at honing the country’s most talented youngsters.
2 VITOR ROQUE
(BRAZIL)
Everyone’s eyes will be on Vitor Roque, whose name is on the wish list of many European giants. Young enough for the next U20 World Cup, but there is little chance of him still playing age restriction football in 2025. Picked up by Athletico Paranaense from Cruzeiro last year, he already had the experience of playing a Copa Libertadores final before enhancing his reputation still further in the South American U20 Championship, which determined the qualifiers for this competition. Quick, strong and skilful, he could be the answer to his country’s prayers in the centre-forward position, and made his senior debut in March.
3 Solomon AGBALAKA
(NIGERIA)
The left-back was twice chosen as man of the match at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations – which acted as qualification for these finals – and emerged as a player of considerable ability. Last season Agbalaka played for MFM FC, who finished bottom of the Nigerian league, but the experience for a teenager stood him in good stead. Nigeria U20 coach Ladan Bosso shifted him
